Phillipine president orders closing of diploma mills

Just so at least someone around here is posting something generally on-topic in this thread, I'd like to say that I applaud President Arroyo's announcement and promise of action.

Hmmm. I think Janko's right: This thread is more fun off-topic.

But seriously, I have a question for you guys (and/or gals) who either know the Philippines pretty well 'cause you're from there, or, perhaps better yet, who maybe are still living there: Is "Lyceum of the Philippines" in Manilla a legit and reputable institution? If it's legit, is it a particularly good school? Average? Below average? How would a BS in Accounting from Lyceum of the Philippines (acquired some twenty years ago) stack-up against one from a regionally-accredited college in the U.S.?

Thanks!

 

Lyceum University - Manila

It not only is legit... it was already a venerable University when a hundred universities in the Philippines were not yet in existence... In fact it was one of the first to pioneer a college for journalism way back in 1952.

Thousands are currently enrolled in this university (usually from the middle and less privileged class who can't afford the prime Universities like Ateneo and De La Salle).

Because of high literacy and a big yearly turn-out of university graduates, big Philippine businesses and multinational companies are rather picky with the school a prospective employee comes from. So those who do not come from (let's say) the Big Three (ADMU/DLSU/UP) or Top Ten Schools, even if sometimes with better skills, are usually relegated to the next round pick.

This is why in PaulC's post, Filipinos always "fight" (jokingly yet never-ending) among themselves on why their school is always better than the others. It's kind of a cultural past time which you would understand if you lived there.

 

Generally, any college/university in the Philippines (state owned or private) benchmarks with the US institutions. That could include the program content (core curriculum), text/reference books, and credit hours. And as a regulation, all colleges/universities use English as medium of instructions (except the “Pilipino” subject). Additionally, all colleges/universities, as part of any degree program, include the mandatory 4-semester English subjects during the first two years of any program.

Quote from CHED:
===
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is responsible for formulating and implementing policies, plans and programs for the development and efficient operation of the system of higher education in the country. The delivery of higher education in the Philippines is provided by private and public higher education institutions.

Private Higher Education Institutions:

Private higher education institutions are established under the Corporation Code and are governed by special laws and general provisions of this Code. Those under non-sectarian are duly incorporated, owned and operated by private entities that are not affiliated to any religious organization while those under sectarian are usually non-stock, non profit, duly incorporated, owned and operated by a religious organization.

Generally, private higher education institutions are covered by the policies and standards set by the Commission on Higher Education in terms of course offerings, curriculum, and administration and faculty academic qualifications, among others. The heads of private higher education institutions usually manage the internal organization of private higher education institutions and implement the policies and standards formulated by the CHED.

A number of private higher education institutions are granted autonomy or deregulated status in recognition of their committed service through quality education, research, and extension work. CMO. 32. S. 2001 (Grant of Autonomy and Deregulated Status to Selected Higher Education Institutions with Benefits Accruing Thereto)

Public Higher Education Institutions:

The State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are chartered public higher education institutions established by law, administered and financially subsidized by the government. The Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) are those established by the local government through resolutions or ordinance. They are financially supported by the local government concerned. The CHED Supervised Higher Education Institutions (CSIs) are non-chartered public post-secondary education institutions established by law, administered, supervised and financially supported by the government. Other Government Schools (OGS) are public secondary and post-secondary education institutions usually a technical-vocational education institution that offer higher education programs. Special HEIs are directly under the government agency stipulated in the law that created them. They provide specialized training in areas such as military science and national defense.

The SUCs have their own charters. The board of regents for state universities and a board of trustees for state colleges maintain the formulation and approval of policies, rules and standards in public institutions. The Chairman of the CHED heads these boards. However, CHED Order No. 31 series of 2001 of the Commission en banc has also authorized the CHED Commissioners to head the board of trustees or board of regents of SUCs. Implementation of policies and management are vested on the president, staff, and support units of the public higher education institutions.
===

Lyceum is a privately owned institution. Regardless of the graduate's year of degree award, the regulation applied 20 years ago still applies today with some exception i.e. curriculum change based on current acceptable "Body of Knowledge" of the program such as technology being incorporated into the new curriculum.

You may download the
Minimum Curricular Requirement for BS Accountancy. This minimum requirement applies to all BS Accountancy programs in any college/univesity private or state owned.

As I said, the rules of 20 years ago could be the same today except the curriculum content.

I hope this helps.

cheers

 

I, particularly, like this part of that document (Minimum Requirement...):

===
Mission Statement and Objectives

1. Mission statement. The mission of professional accounting education is to prepare students for careers in accounting and to make them ready to deal effectively with the problems they will face as professional accountants and responsible citizens.

2. Primary objectives. Professional accounting education should provide a means for students to acquire (a) the knowledge, proficiency, and intellectual abilities to provide services of the minimum scope and quality which the public needs and has a right to expect from an entry level professional accountant; and (b) the capacity to grow and develop into a fully qualified professional accountant able to function in a global economy.

2.1 The professional accounting program should be broadly conceived. A person does not become a professional simply by acquiring technical skills. A person aspiring to become a professional accountant needs to have a broad education in which the study of accounting is integrated with the study of the liberal arts and general business.

2.2 As in any program, the accounting program cannot by itself complete a person’s education and produce at the end of the course someone who can claim to be a professional accountant. Rather, upon completion of the accounting program, the graduate should have the foundation for building additional knowledge, and with maturity and experience, for acquiring qualities that enhance professional competence, particularly:

a. The ability to work effectively, think analytically and objectively, and exercise self-discipline;
b. The ability to communicate ideas orally and in writing;
c. An awareness of personal responsibility and need for continuing professional education;
d. An appreciation of the professional accountant’s high standards of integrity and objectivity; and
e. An awareness of personal responsibility to society as a professional accountant and a responsible citizen.
===

 

This especially holds true for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). PMA models itself after the US Military Academy (West Point), from uniform to drill-and-ceremony to academics and military training.

The major difference between Filipino and American students - high school students in particular - is that Filipino students are a heck of a lot more disciplined than their American counterpart. (I went through the Philippine education system from kindergarten through 6th grade, I received the rest of my education in the US after we immigrated.) The reason being is that Filipino educators have the right to discipline their students. In addition, Filipino parents place a strong emphasis on education.. Unlike in America, students can call their teachers "bitches and whores", and unfortuntely, the teachers can't do much because the ACLU protects the children's "freedom of speech". Teachers can get expelled if they yell at their students. How asinine is that!?

Why do you suppose Asian-American students in the US dominate American colleges in terms of the number of enrollment? We only represent 3 - 4 percent of the total population but yet you see us in all major universities? It's not because we are smarter than whites. (I only got a 900 on my SAT's. And I got a "D" in calculus when I was in tenth grade.) It's because Asian parents (specifically the traditional ones not yet fully Americanized) are strict disciplinarian and they, for the lack of better term, mental-condition (almost to the point of brainwash) their kids into believing that education is the key to success in America.

Do you want all American kids to be the number one students in the world again? The answer is not increasing funding (which both dems and republicans have done in the past.) The answer is simple: discipline and parental involvement.

If I had it my way I would make the US Army Ranger school a part of the American education curriculum. Our kids desperately need guidance.

God Bless America

E Pluribus Unum
Sua Ponte

 

Thanks for the information, one and all, about Lyceum of the Philippines and the twenty-something-year-old BS in Accounting therefrom. Very helpful, useful and interesting.

Now, my significant other (life partner, girlfriend -- whatever the hell we're supposed to call 'em these days without sounding politically incorrect) would like to add something:

Pinabasa ni Gregg ang mga posting niyo at nakakatuwa at nakakaenjoy basahin. Salamat sa pagverify niyo kay Gregg sa BS in Accounting nadalawang taon nang nakakaraan sa Lyceum of the Philippines. Alam niya dahil na kwento ko sa kanya.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Gregg asked me to read your postingss here. I found them very entertaining and true. I enjoyed them very much. Thank you for verifying for Gregg that my twenty-plus-year-old BS in Accounting from Lyceum of the Philippines is credible. He knew it was from what I told him, but he enjoyed hearing others say it, too.

Huwag mong kalimutan yong subject natin na GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct), javila5400. Paki "isplika" sa mga hindi Pilipino dito.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Don't forget our subject GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct), javila5400. Perhaps you could explain it to the non-Filipinos here.

Gregg's addition: From what I've learned of it, American schools would be wise to add something like GMRC. But that's just my opinion (which, as most of you know by now, I'm always hesitant to offer... not!).

 

Thanks "Pareng" Gregg for that show of confidence in Philippine education system.

I've also posted a reply to "Hallmark of..." in defense to non-US degrees or education system. I actually, though not explicitly mentioned, was referring to Philippine education.

cheers

 

All I know is Lumpia is yummy.... My best friend is half japanese half Filippino. I also know that his grandmother is the women behind alot of educational reformations in the Philipines.

 

I sure am glad Mary-Anne was around to tell me what "Pareng" meant. For all I know you could have been saying, "'Doofus White Guy' Gregg" [grin]. Thanks!

It has been a frustration, to be sure, watching American reaction to Mary-Anne's twenty-something-year-old BS in Accounting when listed on her resume. In addition to the wonderful analysis you did in this thread clearly showing its worth, in the case of her particular degree I looked long and hard at the transcript and it's just chock-full of completely appropriate, obviously rigorous coursework clearly on-par with an accredited U.S. degree. I simply cannot see why Americans look down their noses at it. Arrogance, I guess. It's been a problem, to be sure.

Indeed, Lumpia is yummy, isn't it? Actually, I've learned to quite love a great many Filipino foods in the past nearly four years that Mary-Anne and I have been together. Some of it I just have to draw the line at, but most of it I either haven't had a problem with (to my surprise, in many cases) or have downright liked... a lot, in many cases. And her mom makes absolutely world-class pancit, let me tell you!

One of my most pleasant Filipino food surprises, weirdly enough, is avacado smoothies (without the pearls, I should add... sorry, but those things hurdling up the straw is just too odd). Before meeting her, a person would have had to have put a gun to my head to make me even try an avacado smoothie. Avacados, in the U.S., as most of you know, are not generally seen as a sweet, desert-like, grind-it-up-and-make-it-into-a-soft-drink sort of item. But damned if it wasn't absolutely amazing! I'm now hooked. Though I still prefer strawberry/banana, generally, I nevertheless every... oh, I'd say... maybe every third or fourth time I order a smoothie, it's an avacado smoothie; and I always steal several sips of Mary-Anne's whenever she gets one, regardless (and, thankgod, she like's 'em better without pearls, too).

For what any of that's worth, of course.... which probably ain't a whole lot.

Oh... and Janko... Mary-Anne said to tell you she likes your posts. Go figure.

EDIT: Oh, yeah... and one other thing she was tellin' me... Apparently the difference in price between Lyceum of the Philippines and some of the other schools is (or at least was, back then) huge. She said something about paying maybe 800 pesos for six months (or thereabouts) at Lyceum (back then), while her brother spent something like 5,000 pesos at... I think she said it was LaSalle... is that right? Anyway, it's obviously a big difference -- as someone else in this thread correctly pointed out. Amazing.

 

I dunno nottin about no avacado smoothies, but an avacado margarita is damned good..... Gotta love Austin Tex-Mex food.

Lumpia (or how ever its spelled) is one of my favorites. I was also introduced to some sort of a roll thing with meat in the middle that was good to. Billy's mom usually just makes us Lumpia though....

 

Gregg,

Tell Mary Ann to get you some "halo-halo."

And if you want to impress her, have some "balut."

 

Or "manggang may bagoong"... and "kapampangan's burong talanka" ... smells terrific

good day!

 

I know you Pinoys might not believe me but.... here in Cambodia they (male and female alike) eat balut by the dozens.... probably because it's cheaper at around 3-5 pesos lang....
napahiya ako... can't eat much because of high-blood pressure (our national sickness?).... National bird pa naman natin (er sorry, national food?)

 

Naks naman pare.. Hanga ako talaga.. And dami naman nating mga Pinoy sa mundo.

Sino paba ang Pinoy dito?

 

I think there are few others but would not dare show up. Ashamed...? may be...